Mauricio Pochettino has urged Chelsea fans “to believe and trust in us” after their latest Premier League setback at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues looked like they had turned a corner after a stalled start to the season only to lose 2-0 at home to Brentford on Saturday – their third home defeat of the season which leaves them 11th in the table – 14 points behind leaders Tottenham Hotspur.
Chelsea now take on second-tier Blackburn Rovers in the League Cup on Wednesday as they look to pick themselves up from their West London derby defeat and secure a place in the quarter-final draw.
After the cup game at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea face the toughest of Premier League fixture schedules starting with an away clash at table-topping Tottenham Hotspur on Monday. Pochettino's side then face treble winners Manchester City at home, Newcastle United away, Brighton at home and Manchester United away.
Keeping the fans onside during that run will be a major test for Pochettino whose team has yet to gel after a summer that saw a huge turnover of players.
The final whistle against Brentford was met by a chorus of boos from those fans still left in the stadium which had seen a mass exodus following Bryan Mbeumo's goal deep into injury-time that sealed Brentford's win. The defeat means Chelsea have managed just one win out of six league games this season.
And despite this disastrous record at the Bridge, Pochettino urged supporters to keep the faith ahead of taking on Blackburn.
“I know it is difficult to keep your feelings but it is normal,” said the Argentine coach. “The fans want to win and sometimes are frustrated when we don't win. The message is to believe and trust in us and in the end it is about the process.
“Always it's about when you try to create something new and you are building. The circumstances are not helping us to go as fast as we want but that is the normal process, up and down.
Chelsea 0 Brentford 2: Player ratings
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CHELSEA RATINGS: Solid early save from Mbeumo eased early nerves after last week’s blunder. No chance with first goal goal. Brilliant last-minute save to deny Yarmolyuk but left embarrassed in injury-time after going up for corner only for Brentford to counter and make it 2-0. AFP -
Frenchman returned to starting XI with Reece James still not fit to start at right-back and hardly troubled in first half. But guilty of weak defending as Pinnock was allowed to power home free header to open scoring. Reuters -
Chelsea’s Mr Consistent. Brazilian enjoyed a stroll in the London sunshine for much of the game, although showed his frustration at failure of teammates at both ends of the pitch. Team’s defensive discipline disappeared late on, though, as Chelsea hunted for leveller. AP -
Generally assured at back although Mbeumo was tough opponent. His partnership with Silva looks a good one but little else for Chelsea to cheer about on another frustrating day at Stamford Bridge. Reuters -
Looks a far more confident player after a tough time last season. Had great chance to open scoring but could only volley tamely at Flekken. AFP -
Captain on day with James still easing his way back from injury, midfielder saw bouncing strike palmed away by Flekken in first half. Couldn’t inspire team in disastrous second-half showing from the Blues. Getty Images -
Big-money summer signing from Brighton still finding his feet in Chelsea midfield. Guilty of nasty late challenge on Norgaard that wasn’t far off being a straight red in second-half. Reuters -
Blazed shot wildly over bar in 20th minute and then felt he should have had penalty after Roerslev push minutes later. Influence waned as game went and was poor in second-half when Chelsea needed his attacking nous and experience. AFP -
Showed his vision to pick out Cucurella with perfect cross but defender wasted first-half opportunity. Touch, distribution and movement top-class in opening 45 minutes, but – like team as whole – attacking threat seemed to disappear after break. AFP -
A lively start, curling beautiful strike off crossbar in opening 10 minutes but then drifted out of game and hooked in second half. EPA -
First start since September following wrist injury and it showed as he offered little threat and was well marshalled by Brentford’s defence. AP -
SUBS: (On for Disasi 67’) Chelsea need their influential captain fit and flying if they want to improve their woeful home record. PA -
(On for Mdueke 67’) Little impact from Dutch winger. Getty Images -
(On for Cucurella 81’) Brazilian teenager came on for Chelsea debut and nearly sneaked late leveller but couldn’t get on end of ball into box. Lesley Ugochukwu: N/A (On for Caicedo 81’) AFP -
BRENTFORD RATINGS: Dutch keeper would have been relieved when Cucurella vollyed straight at him early on and was then tested by long-range Gallagher strike that bounced right in front of him. But then hardly troubled again as Chelsea managed just two shots on target all game. Reuters -
Norwegian was superb at the back as Brentford’s defensive trio held their own against Chelsea’s attack assembled at great expense but humbled by the Bees here. Getty Images -
Has worked his way from non-league football to being one of first names on Bees’ teamsheet and headed home opening goal just before hour mark. Almost blotted copy book though by gifting possession to Palmer and had to make recovery tackle to save own skin. Getty Images -
Irishman played important role in Brentford keeping a clean sheet. Did everything asked of him in the air and on the deck helping mark Jackson pretty much out of the game. -
Back in team after one-match ban, had chance to attack Chelsea goal late in first half but poor first touch sent ball racing out for goal kick. Helped keep Madueke very quiet. AFP -
Took huge risk by shoving Sterling in penalty area that referee and VAR deemed no penalty. Bizarrely decided to send ball 50 metres back to keeper rather than send ball into crowded penalty area in failed first-half corner routine. Solid overall although annoyed home fans and players with his moaning in second half. AP -
Danish midfielder took nasty scrape down back of ankle from Caicedo tackle just before break but able to carry on. Good cut-back to set up chance for Janelt. Neat and tidy throughout. EPA -
Captain was part of Brentford’s hard-working midfield three who give Brentford a tough shield in front of defence that Chelsea struggled to break through. Left in agony and lucky to escape serious injury after late Caicedo tackle. AP -
Backed off and backed off giving Madueke too much space to curl effort off bar in first half but was rare blemish as he made number of important interceptions. Drilled shot straight at Sanchez just after half-time that was certain goal if hit either side of keeper. Reuters -
Forced early save from Sanchez. Fine run and cross to set-up Pinnock goal. At heart of two late counter-attacks, once of which saw Yarmolyuk shot saved and the other finished by Mbeumo himself for sixth goal of season after Sanchez went up for corner. Getty Images -
Scored against Burnley last time out but barely touched ball in first half never mind go close to scoring. Worked hard throughout but no threat in front of goal. Reuters -
SUBS: (On for Jenson 64’) Booking with five minutes left had been coming after number of niggly fouls. Reuters -
(On for Wissa 76’) Booked before even coming on for stupidly going on to pitch while warming up and moving ball ahead of Chelsea free-kick. Provided assist for Mbeumo’s clincher. Reuters -
(On for Janely 76’) Had chance to make it 2-0 as Brentford found themselves four-on-one after counter-attack but saw shot well saved by Sanchez. Getty Images -
(On for Hickey 84’) AP
“It’s important for us to go forward in this competition, to build momentum, and after go to Tottenham and receive Manchester City with the trust and the confidence we can beat them also.”
Pochettino insists luck has not been with side so far, highlighting the loss of £52 million summer signing from RB Leipzig Christopher Nkunku to injury.
The 25-year-old forward needed surgery on his knee after being forced off the pitch during the first half of Chelsea’s final pre‑season friendly against Borussia Dortmund. He joined defender Wesley Fofana on the long-term injury list.
“It’s not fair to talk because so many details happened,” said Pochettino on Tuesday when asked whether this season's poor form had surprised him.
“You always need some luck. One situation that happened is the injury of Nkunku. We signed him with the objective of providing the team goals. We know we cannot complain but I think we deserve more.”
There was some good news on the injury front with Pochettino able to confirm that club captain Reece James will be able to start for the first time in nearly three months after making cameo appearances off the bench against Arsenal and Brentford.
James has not played since the season opening home draw against Liverpool due to a hamstring problem. “I want to confirm only one player but the captain is ready,” said Pochettino. “It is good for the team and it’s good for him to start from the beginning.
“It is going to be really important for us. We are going to try to play with our best team. Maybe there are some players we need to rest because after Saturday we cannot take some risks.”
